Acute cytomegalovirus infection in a child with Ménétrier's disease

Abstract

The cause of Ménétrier's disease is unknown, although allergic, autoimmune, and infectious, particularly viral, causes have been postulated. This case report describes a 3-year-old child with Ménétrier's disease in whom evidence of acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was found. To our knowledge, this is the first case with evidence of acute infection, indicated by the presence of CMV-specific immunoglobulin M antibody in the acute serum as well as a seroconversion to CMV. CMV was also found in a gastric mucosal biopsy specimen using monoclonal antibodies to the early antigen of CMV.